MMMMM ... chocolate. And what's better than chocolate that predicts your future! Thanks Lily for the gift from overseas - it was a good one. "When you know what you really want, it can happen". I think the fact I'm off travelling in less than 3 months time is testament to that!

http://www.FortuneChocolates.com

If there is one thing I live for, its the next concert ... when you have it pinned on your board, months in advance, and there is so much build up and excitement ... HURRAH! However, 2010 will be concert-light based on my travels planned for May-October 2010.

TOTAL GIG COUNT FOR 2010 = 5 planned :(

8 April 2010 - JOSHUA RADIN @ Shepherd's Bush Empire

3 March 2010 - GROOVE ARMADA @ The Forum

23 February 2010 - 30 SECONDS TO MARS @ Wembley Arena

19 February 2010 - IMOGEN HEAP @ Shepherd's Bush Empire

16 February 2010 - VAMPIRE WEEKEND @ Brixton Academy

18 January 2010 - JOHN MAYER @ Hammersmith Apollo
It seems the John fanbase is growing in statue within the UK, and the 5000 sold-out crowd were certainly familiar with his back catalogue of work. New album "Battle Studies" was well covered, and in fact produced many of the most sing-a-long moments. Stellar guitar solos as expected, particularly a 10 minute epic version of "Gravity". But don't just take my word for it, check out THIS

A test, inspired by Lily ...

I. Put your MP3 player on shuffle.
II. For each question below, press the next button to get your answer.
III. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Bambole (Piero Umiliani)

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Harmonijak (Alaska in Winter) [riiiighhht]

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Every Moment (Rogue Wave) [Ah, sweet]

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
In Your Atmosphere (John Mayer) [Sad]

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Aftermath (R.E.M) [This is disturbing, it talks about when London falls! But apparently I am the one to fix it]

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
4 My People (Missy Elliot) [hell yeah! This is 4 My People!]

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Stop The Music (P Money) [hmm - my friends do think I go to too many gigs!]

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Voulez Vous (Arling & Cameron)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Goodnight, Travel Well (The Killers) [I am always on holiday!}

10. WHAT IS 2+2?
Ignoreland (R.E.M) [because no one likes Math!}

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Bring Change (Shapeshifter) [LMAO!]

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Oppression (Ben Harper) [Probably NOT a good sign then?!]

13. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Protection (Massive Attack) [Sweet]

14. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Girlfriend (The Pigeon Detectives) [LMAO - hey hey you you, I don't like your girlfriend, so I'm marrying her?!]

15. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Spaz (NERD) [Could this be MORE apt?!]

16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Playing Your Game (Barry White)

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Riffs & Variations on A Single Note (Sufjan Stevens)

18. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
A Few Home Truths (Ordinary Boys) [You should be able to count on 'em for that]

19. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN
Antichrist Television Blues(Arcade Fire) [LOL!]

20. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Shot You Down(Audio Bullys) [LMAO]

21. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Angel (Jack Johnson) [LMAO!! - especially because it said Lily was EVIL!]

22. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
We Never Change (Coldplay) [OK, this game is getting spooky now]

23. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Henry Nearly Killed Me (Ray LaMontagne) [Yes, that would hurt!]

24. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS
Time to Dance (Panic At The Disco)

So that's My Life's Playlist (Apparently!)

If there is one thing I live for, its the next concert ... when you have it pinned on your board, months in advance, and there is so much build up and excitement ... HURRAH!

TOTAL GIG COUNT FOR 2009 = A paltry 20!

4 December 2009 - REGINA SPEKTOR @ Hammersmith Apollo
Well, evidently Regina is as mad as a brush. But she doesn't half put on a good show! There was a good mix of songs across her 3 albums - and a few improvised songs that I'm sure she made up on the spot! Amusing and entertaining none the less.

13 November 2009 - TEGAN & SARA @ Shepherd's Bush Empire
Everyone's favourite Canadian lesbian twins rolled back into town, and again, well worth the money based on the comedy value alone. Those two fight and bicker on stage as only sisters can. Highlight must surely have been their 10 minute segue into why Shepherd's Bush is called Shepherd's Bush!

3 November 2009 - FLEETWOOD MAC @ Birmingham NIA

23 October 2009 - GREEN DAY @ O2 Arena

16 October 2009 - NOUVELLE VAGUE @ The Roundhouse

19 September 2009 - COLDPLAY & JAY-Z @ Wembley Stadium

15 August 2009 - U2 @ Wembley Stadium

5 July 2009 - KANYE WEST @ Hyde Park

4 July 2009 - BASEMENT JAXX @ Hyde Park

2 July 2009 - BLUR @ Hyde Park

26 June 2009 - THE KILLERS @ Hyde Park

15 June 2009 - KINGS OF LEON @ O2 Arena

28 May 2009 - THE GOSSIP @ Scala

19 April 2009 - BEN HARPER & RELENTLESS 7 @ The Forum

31 March 2009 - JAMES MORRISON @ Royal Albert Hall

11 March 2009 - SNOW PATROL @ Birmingham NEC

9 March 209 - FRANZ FERDINAND @ Hammersmith Apollo

6 March 2009 - FALL OUT BOY @ O2 Arena

24 February 2009 - THE KILLERS @ O2 Arena

29 January 2009 - ALL AMERICAN REJECTS @ Shepherd's Bush Empire

I came across this article and was in complete and utter agreement!!

http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/2008/05/10_worst_ways_t.php

Hmm... haven't you heard this rant somewhere before??

I'M DOWN WITH THAT: Things I Love About Berlin:
* Its rich sense of history - you come to Berlin thinking you know what you are going to get, and yet the city still manages to surprise you

WHAT'S WITH THAT: Things I Loathe About Berlin:
* Damn weather - I've said it once and I'll say it again - why must it always bloody rain on my holidays away??

If there is one thing I live for, its the next concert ... when you have it pinned on your board, months in advance, and there is so much build up and excitment ... HURRAH!
TOTAL GIG COUNT FOR 2008 = 34

15 December 2008 - COLDPLAY @ O2 Arena

4 December 2008 - NOUVELLE VAGUE @ The Forum

2 December 2008 - THE KOOKS @ The Roundhouse

27 November 2008 - MGMT @ The Forum

19 November 2008 - DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE @ Brixton Academy

13 November 2008 - RAZORLIGHT @ Brixton Academy

12 November 2008 - KANYE WEST @ O2

30 October 2008 - THE BLACK KIDS @ The Astoria

28 October 2008 - ONE NIGHT ONLY @ The Astoria

26 October 2008 - VAMPIRE WEEKEND @ The Forum

21 October 2008 - THE KAISER CHIEFS @ The Forum

9 October 2008 - THE TING TINGS @ The Forum

30 September 2008 - SAM ROBERTS BAND @ Islington Academy

30 August 2008 - R.E.M @ Twickenham Stadium

29 August 2008 - TEITUR @ Union Chapel

8 July 2008 - PANIC! AT THE DISCO @ The Astoria

5 July 2008 - SHIHAD @ Shepherd's Bush Empire

2 July 2008 - JACK JOHNSON @ Hyde Park

29 June 2008 - THE POLICE @ Hyde Park

27 June 2008 - JOHN MAYER @ Brixton Academy

25 June 2008 - GOLDFRAPP @ Royal Albert Hall

12 June 2008 - GNARLS BARKLEY @ Club 229

7 June 2008 - FOO FIGHTERS @ Wembley Stadium

21 May 2008 - FEIST @ Royal Albert Hall

6 May 2008 - DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE @ Electric Ballroom

1 May 2008 - MATCHBOX 20 @ Wembley Arena

10 April 2008 - PORTISHEAD @ Hammersmith Apollo

11 March 2008 - GUILLEMOTS @ Shepherd's Bush Empire
* Best Part - when the crowd really got into it, particularly the best two singles from "Through The Windowpane" - "Made Up Lovesong #43" and "Trains To Brazil"
* Worst Part - not bad, so much as a bit disappointing - they played a lot of new material. Which is obviously par for the course when a band goes on tour, but seeing the new album isn't out it, it was really hard for the crowd to get into it. Esp when the Empire has no real atmosphere anyway. New single "Get Over It" was great, but the rest felt a bit lack lustre.

5 March 2008 - TEGAN & SARA @ Koko, Camden

28 February 2008 - UNDERWORLD @ Camden Roundhouse

25 February 2008 - MIKA @ Hammersmith Apollo

22 February 2008 - MARK RONSON @ Hammersmith Apollo

7 February 2008 - 30 SECONDS TO MARS @ Hammersmith Apollo

1 January 2008 - KASABIAN @ Hogmanay Concert in the Park, Edinburgh
* Support Act - quite the line up really! Firstly, Scotland's own Idlewild, who were fun. Then Kasabian came on, followed by Calvin Harris for a dance fest after the fireworks at midnight!
* Best part I - getting given the £45 tickets for free by a lovely couple who just wanted to give them away! Bloody fantastic and totally made my New Years!
* Best part II - seeing special guest star Noel Gallagher pop up on stage with the band and do a few songs! Amazing!